💘The Great Family of the Normand Cutter💘

💘The Great Family of the Normand Cutter💘

By The Bald Rigger

Years ago, my father, an old sea wolf, told me something that stuck with me: “Cris, you’ll make very few true friends at sea, but those few will be for life.” He couldn’t have been more right.

In late 2008, my company (Saipem) assigned me to the Normand Cutter, a multifunctional vessel engaged in all kinds of construction and s
ubsea operations. Little did I know that stepping aboard would mark the beginning of one of the most memorable chapters of my life.

A Crew Like No Other

It all started with Carlos, Carlos Papa, Rama, and Garri, one of the best crane operators I’ve ever worked with, and an even better person. Gradually, our circle expanded to include Nacho, Roman, Tinaka, and Novo. Together, with an outstanding crew from England and Scotland, we formed not only one of the most efficient deck teams I’ve ever been a part of but also the best family I’ve ever known.

Some of the unforgettable names in that crew included Joe Kolundzic (Smokes), Cooly, Taffy (King of Wales, R.I.P.), Dave McPherson (My Favourite Mother Fucker), Mark Fahy, Allan Clark, Johnny Mason, Martin Bruce, Sam Shepherd, Isidro, Colin, Iñigo Sanz, Anthony Lawton, Bob, Rob, Peter Roberts, Stephen Findlay, Steve Arslanian, Brian Robinson (Robbo), Harry Hadden (R.I.P.), Henry Hadden, Dougie Allan, and many more. Our ship was led by two exceptional superintendents, Knut Dalen and Joe Reid, whose leadership forged us into a cohesive and powerful team.

Six Years of Unforgettable Experiences

For six years, we shared incredible adventures both aboard the Normand Cutter and in the ports where we docked. Nights at bars with the English and Scots were endless, though the next day’s watch often felt punishing. I still laugh remembering Joe’s (Reid) collection of yellow cards 😅 he issued me for minor infractions.

Our shifts were filled with jokes and camaraderie. Working alongside people from Liverpool, Sunderland, Newcastle, Peterhead, Aberdeen, Dundee, Noia, Outes, Ribeira, Cabo de Cruz, Marin and Sheffield wasn’t easy, especially given the array of accents. Initially, I could barely understand two out of every thirty words, but over time, the language barriers melted away.

Under the guidance of Harry (R.I.P.), Dougie, Arslanian and Brian (R.I.P.), we operated like clockwork. These three taught me more than anyone else. Brian, in particular, trusted me enough to recommend me for a Team Leader position in another company that I'll talk in the future, even putting his own job on the line (Or Cris or I go home). I’ll never forget his words when I left the ship in 2010 to try my luck ashore: “If you ever need to come back, just send me an email.” True to his word, a year later, I emailed him, and within 20 days, I was back on the Normand Cutter.

😓Parting Ways but Never Apart💔

In 2014, several of us decided to chart new courses with different companies. Since then, I’ve worked with many teams, but none have come close to the family we built on that ship. Recently, when I shared the news that I had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, the first messages of support came from my old shipmates. Knowing that they still had my back brought tears to my eyes.

Memories Etched in Time

From the wild parties in Brindisi, where we ended up on Italian TV on New Year’s Eve, to the orange hats in Trieste, the adventures in Rotterdam, and the epic walks back to the ship in Peterhead, the memories are endless. I’ll never forget the celebratory nights in Cyprus and Malta, the hazy recollections of Shenzhen (China), and the countless laughs we shared on watch while working hard with the best crew I could have asked for.

To my friends, thank you for every moment, every laugh, and every memory. You’ll always have a special place in my heart. And while I might not share all of our escapades with my daughters—some things are better left untold—our stories will live on with me forever.

💖Fair winds and following seas, my friends. You’ll always have a friend in me. My father was right💖.

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